Jim White

Although some skeptics remain wary, Mary Tapia, of Mount Prospect, is convinced there are benefits to the "Paleo Diet," which promotes unprocessed foods that were the diet of hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic era — primarily meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables.

Most dieters define success as losing weight. But Tapia, 45, faithfully followed a 30-day "Paleo Challenge" recently that meant swearing off sugar, grains and dairy, without shedding a pound.

Tapia, 45, said the Paleo Diet has resulted in a dramatic change in her overall body composition, including an 8 percent decrease in body fat, and a nearly 3-pound gain in muscle mass.

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Although some skeptics remain wary, Mary Tapia, of Mount Prospect, is convinced there are benefits to the "Paleo Diet," which promotes unprocessed foods that were the diet of hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic era — primarily meats, fish, fruits, and...